Williamson is Mr. Football

Owatonna senior Jason Williamson was named Mr. Football Sunday. That caps a post-season trifecta, triple crown or hat trick: Gatorade Player of the Year, Associated Press Player of the Year and Mr. Football.

While I don't know the criteria used for Mr. Football, Williamson, a Golden Gophers commit, seems to have epitomized that title this fall.

Williamson rushed for over 3,000 yards this season with 47 touchdowns. Over half of each of those totals came during five playoff games, against top teams in the section and state, who knew what was coming and still couldn't stop him.

Finally locked in a defensive battle in the Prep Bowl, with Williamson being held in check by St. Thomas Academy, he changed the complexion of the game with a tacking-breaking, spinning touchdown run that went viral on Twitter and national TV. Owatonna (13-0) captured its second straight state title. The Huskies were state semifinalists in Williamson's sophomore season.

Willamson won the Most Valuable Player award at the Huskies' recent banquet. Coach Jeff Williams said he believes that's the first time the award has gone to the same player twice. He becomes just the third Big Nine player to win the honor, joining Darrel Thompson of Rochester JM (1985) and Phillip Nelson of Mankato West (2011).

Willamson played in Saturday's all-star football game at US Bank Stadium, running in a 1-yard touchdown and throwing a two-point conversion in the South's 33-12 victory. He then was an honorary captain for Sunday's Vikings' game versus Miami and was on the field for the pregame coin toss. Williams was also recognized Sunday as the Viking's selection of high school coach of the year.

His assault on the OHS record book will be long-lasting. He holds the record for rushing yards in a game (477), a season (3,009) and a career (7,009). His career total is nearly twice that of the second place holder, Aaron Peterson (3,580). Williamson also holds the record for carries in a game (47), a season (313) and a career (923).

Williamson averaged 9.6 yards per carry this season, tops in school history for minimum 100 carries. Noel Jenke's mark of 10.8 yards per carry remains the 'gold standard,' which he accomplished with 559 yards on 52 carries in 1963.

Williamson set a school record with 8 touchdowns against Mayo in the section playoffs. His 47 scores this season is a school record, while his 110 career touchdowns is a state record. He owns three of the top four individual rushing seasons in OHS history (3,009 in 2018, 2,323 in 2017 and 1,662 in 2016). He also made the top ten list for career receptions with 66 at No. 9.

Coach Williams and multiple players indicated that Williamson is a great leader and wonderful teammate. He also has a strong GPA.

Reports indicate that Williamson will early enroll at the University of Minnesota in order to be eligible to participate with the team during spring practice. Williamson also played basketball and ran track in previous season with the Huskies.